California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation aimed at increasing transparency for online influencers who receive payment to post about political topics. The law, known as AB 1130, expands on previous rules that required influencers to disclose if they were paid to post about state or local elections. However, until now, there were no legal consequences for failing to comply with these disclosure requirements. The new law introduces financial penalties and potential criminal charges for non-compliance, marking a significant shift in how such content is regulated. Under AB 1130, influencers who fail to disclose payments for political posts can now be fined up to $5,000 per violation. In addition, regulators can refer cases to law enforcement, where influencers might face charges for misdemeanors. This change comes amid growing concern over the influence of online content on public opinion, especially during elections. Similar disclosure laws are already in place in Texas, and other states are exploring similar measures. The new law was partly inspired by the actions of billionaire Tom Steyer, who ran for California governor earlier this year. Steyer reportedly paid numerous influencers to promote his campaign online, but many of them did not initially disclose that they were compensated for their posts. Newsom signed the legislation as part of a larger set of bills designed to counter potential election interference, particularly from former President Donald Trump. His administration has expressed concern about the role of social media in shaping electoral outcomes. Democratic Assemblyman Marc Berman, the bill’s sponsor, noted that the existing law had some ambiguity in its enforcement. He introduced AB 1130 to clarify the rules and ensure that influencers are held accountable for their posts. The law is expected to increase transparency in political advertising online, helping voters better understand the sources of the content they see.